How many chickens is to much chickens

[BigBlueHen53]

Hm. I can't find that article. @Ridgerunner, would you post a link to your article, please?

 

[birdlover2]

I started with 30 and I have 40 more coming, I am worried that I might have over done it.

That seems like alot, again, what are you raising them for?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

@estrju, you say you have a 1/2 acre back yard. You should know that whatever space is left of that half acre after building your coop, that many chickens are quickly going to completely denude of vegetation with their pecking and scratching. They cannot live in the coop day and night. The coop is basically just to keep them safe from predators at night, and to lay their eggs in. During the day they should be out in the sunshine foraging and exercising, assuming you want eggs.

 

[estrju2]

How long does it take

We have between 25 to 45 maximum during the year. My coops are a small raised coop that holds from 9 to 12 medium size birds, 2 large walk in coops that hold up to 16 & 24 max if you go by roosting space. Our runs are covered and secure and allow for no less than 15 sq ft per chicken. We also have an acre chicken yard which we are expanding.
I feel like the more space they have the healthier and less prone to behavioral issues they are.
The less stressed my animals are, the less stress I have.

what breeds do you have

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Also, are there any local restrictions on chicken ownership, such as HOA or city ordinances, where you live?

 

[estrju2]

I am looking to raise Brahams and Jersey Giants.

 

[estrju2]

Also, are there any local restrictions on chicken ownership, such as HOA or city ordinances, where you live?

I don’t think so I live in the county so I will just make sure to give my neighbors plenty of eggs.

 

[jolenesdad]

Are these layers?

The generally accepted annual carrying capacity for an acre is 80 chickens. This is due to how much manure the land and grass can handle. Sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less. this is for a bird that lives on that land permanently, not a meat bird that is there for 3 months.

now, this generalized number is based off of the entire manure load of chickens. IF you manage manure well in housing, and they’re housed part of the time to concentrate manure there and not on the land, you could conceivably have more than that on the land. But this is for serious managers, and I would start with less to learn.

personally, on that space, I would not start with more than 20 for a season and add more next year.

 

[estrju2]

@estrju, you say you have a 1/2 acre back yard. You should know that whatever space is left of that half acre after building your coop, that many chickens are quickly going to completely denude of vegetation with their pecking and scratching. They cannot live in the coop day and night. The coop is basically just to keep them safe from predators at night, and to lay their eggs in. During the day they should be out in the sunshine foraging and exercising, assuming you want eggs.

Yes that is my plan to let them be free during the day. The back yard is over grown with weeds so if they can clear it for me that would be amazing.

 

[birdlover2]

Yes that is my plan to let them be free during the day. The back yard is over grown with weeds so if they can clear it for me that would be amazing.

I bet they will clear it for you. If they're docile birds there may not be much in-fighting, and if your neighbors don't care they could roam over their yards too. It may work, but I wouldn't have started with as many as you did. I'll be praying that your flock gets along, (and your neighbors love the chickens and not think them a nuisance!)